34 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2026-2027 AT PLAY bar adds to the fun. No dogs. Restrooms are available. Street parking along Ocean View Boulevard. Ocean View Boulevard at 17th Street, Pacific Grove. cityofpacificgrove.gov Marina State Beach This popular beach has sweeping views of the Monterey Bay coastline and provides a great place to watch crashing waves and enjoy a long beach walk in either direction (and don’t forget to look for whales and other wildlife). It’s frequently windy here. No dogs allowed. Restrooms and limited parking available. Western end of Reservation Road, Marina. parks.ca.gov Fort Ord Dunes State Park A short trail through the dunes leads to four miles of beautiful beach, seemingly always empty. Old bunkers still make for unique scenery; bring your camera. It’s also easily accessible by bicycle from the Rec Trail. Some trails are wheelchair accessible. Dogs allowed on leash on trails only. Parking available. Lightfighter Drive exit from Highway 1, Marina. parks.ca.gov Monastery Beach There’s excellent scuba diving off the beach just north of Point Lobos and across from the Carmelite monastery. The steep underwater slope is great for skimboarding, but a scary undertow means experienced water-lovers only. Not recommended for swimming, diving or wading. Dogs allowed on leash. Highway 1, Carmel. parks.ca.gov Monterey State Beach The state beach exists in two sections, stretching from Wharf 2 in Monterey to Tioga Avenue in Seaside, with Del Monte Beach in between. This breezy beach is remarkable for its long, walkable stretches of sand and beautiful dunes below blue skies often populated with colorful kites. Check out the native plants and wildflowers at the dune-restoration project in the Seaside stretch of beach. Dogs on leash only south of Monterey Tides Hotel. Restrooms available and limited parking. Canyon Del Rey Boulevard at Highway 1, Seaside. parks.ca.gov Moss Beach Moss Beach sits between Spanish Bay Beach and Asilomar State Beach. A favorite for surfing, one of its most popular features is that fires are allowed. Many locals park in Pacific Grove at Asilomar and make the short walk across the sand to Moss Beach. The beach is on Pebble Beach property and can also be accessed through the gate. pebblebeach.com Moss Landing State Beach There is excellent wildlife viewing here, with sea otter and sea lion sightings common on the slough side. Don’t forget to look for whale spouts on the ocean side of the dunes. There are good fishing spots along this stretch too. Swimming and surfing for experienced waterlovers. Dogs aren’t allowed. Restrooms and limited parking available. End of Jetty Road west of Highway 1, Moss Landing. parks. ca.gov Pfeiffer Beach Keep your eyes open for an unmarked road just south of Big Sur Station which leads to famously purple sands and lovely rock formations just offshore. It’s a great place for photography, walking and tidepooling. Dogs allowed on leash. Restrooms available. Be advised there is limited parking (for a fee) at the foot of the narrow, windy road. Sycamore Canyon Road, 32 miles south of Carmel off Highway 1, Big Sur. fs.usda.gov Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge A dirt road off the highway leads through artichoke fields to an all-encompassing habitat, where freshwater meets seawater. This wildlife refuge offers excellent birdwatching, and a path takes you alongside the Salinas River to where it empties into the ocean. No dogs allowed. Del Monte Boulevard west of Highway 1, Marina. fws.gov Salinas River State Beach It’s easy to find solitude here as people spread out along miles and miles of beach. To cover all of those miles, horseback riding is popular here. Swimming and surfing only for experienced water-lovers. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach or dunes. Restrooms and parking available. Monterey Dunes Way, off Molera Road, Moss Landing. parks.ca.gov San Carlos Beach One of the smallest beaches, but easily accessible and popular for dive and scuba classes. Calmer waves and tides make it a good spot for beginners—as well as those going for a morning dip. Abundant wildlife provides good viewing options from shore. Dogs are allowed. Paid parking and restrooms available. Cannery Row at Reeside Avenue, Monterey. monterey. gov Sand Dollar Beach This is one of the few accessible beaches in southern Big Sur. It’s a good place to walk, either on the sand (you might find sand dollars) or on the bluffs above for a sweeping view, and it’s also a destination for surfers of varying skill levels, depending on conditions. A great place for barbecues and picnicking at the picnic area at the entrance. Dogs allowed on leash. Restrooms available. Fees for parking. Highway 1, 9 miles south of Lucia, Big Sur. fs.usda.gov Willow Creek Beach A hidden gem located in the Los Padres National Forest. Willow Creek spills from the mountains, forming a pool. For those accessing the site from parking provided be the national forest (there is a fee), the beach is around a cliff, out of direct view. Note that the sandy destination may be covered at high tide. Check the website for hours and restrictions. Highway 1, Big Sur. fs.usda.gov Zmudowski State Beach Monterey County’s northernmost beach is a popular spot, with more than 177 acres open for exploring. Swimming and surfing are not recommended except for advanced skill levels. No dogs allowed. Restrooms and limited parking available. Jensen Road and Highway 1, Moss Landing. parks.ca.gov Laguna Seca Recreation Area DANIEL DREIFUSS
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